Astronomer Rene Cardenas (illuminated by light) chats with Carolyn Atkins as members of the star-gazing group, San Antonio League of Sidewalk Astronomers (SALSA), hold a star-viewing event at McAllister Park on Tuesday, June 30, 2015. A rare alignment or conjunction of the planets Venus and Jupiter brought out astronomers as well as over 100 curious onlookers to the park toward dusk to get a closer view of the starry heavens. Despite a partially cloudy night which limited the viewing, the local astronomers, some amateur and some professional, provided educational information about the planets as well as the telescopes used to view the night sky. Children and adults lined up to a half dozen telescopes pointed at the sky to catch a glimpse of Venus which was about 48 million miles away and Jupiter which was about 565 million miles away from Earth during last night's conjunction. Though both planets can be seen with the naked eye, the powerful optics on the telescopes allowed people to see the planets with finer precision and clarity. Astronomers say this alignment of planets may have also occurred around 2 and 3 B.C. and may be what many call the Star of Bethlehem or the Christmas star. SALSA founding member, Bryan Tobias, relishes the meetings and viewing parties. When the group meets on Wednesdays of each week and bring out their various telescopes, the group attracts onlookers. "We get a lot of people who are wondering what the contraptions are. And the conversations start running. We get all spectrums of people," said Tobias. "The biggest satisfaction we get are the questions (from the public). They are genuinely interested." SALSA has about 35 active members. less

Astronomer Rene Cardenas (illuminated by light) chats with Carolyn Atkins as members of the star-gazing group, San Antonio League of Sidewalk Astronomers (SALSA), hold a star-viewing event at McAllister Park on ... more

An airliner passes overhead as members of the star-gazing group, San Antonio League of Sidewalk Astronomers (SALSA), hold a star-viewing event at McAllister Park on Tuesday, June 30, 2015. A rare alignment or conjunction of the planets Venus and Jupiter brought out astronomers as well as over 100 curious onlookers to the park toward dusk to get a closer view of the starry heavens. Despite a partially cloudy night which limited the viewing, the local astronomers, some amateur and some professional, provided educational information about the planets as well as the telescopes used to view the night sky. Children and adults lined up to a half dozen telescopes pointed at the sky to catch a glimpse of Venus which was about 48 million miles away and Jupiter which was about 565 million miles away from Earth during last night's conjunction. Though both planets can be seen with the naked eye, the powerful optics on the telescopes allowed people to see the planets with finer precision and clarity. Astronomers say this alignment of planets may have also occurred around 2 and 3 B.C. and may be what many call the Star of Bethlehem or the Christmas star. SALSA founding member, Bryan Tobias, relishes the meetings and viewing parties. When the group meets on Wednesdays of each week and bring out their various telescopes, the group attracts onlookers. "We get a lot of people who are wondering what the contraptions are. And the conversations start running. We get all spectrums of people," said Tobias. "The biggest satisfaction we get are the questions (from the public). They are genuinely interested." SALSA has about 35 active members. less

An airliner passes overhead as members of the star-gazing group, San Antonio League of Sidewalk Astronomers (SALSA), hold a star-viewing event at McAllister Park on Tuesday, June 30, 2015. A rare alignment or ... more

Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News

An airliner passes overhead as members of the star-gazing group,... Photo-8245090.112687 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 3 of 19

Astronomer Bryan Tobias aligns his Newtonian reflector 30" mirror telescope to view the planets Venus and Jupiter before dusk. Tobias and other members of the star-gazing group, San Antonio League of Sidewalk Astronomers (SALSA), held the star-viewing event at McAllister Park on Tuesday, June 30, 2015. A rare alignment or conjunction of the planets Venus and Jupiter brought out astronomers as well as over 100 curious onlookers to the park toward dusk to get a closer view of the starry heavens. Despite a partially cloudy night which limited the viewing, the local astronomers, some amateur and some professional, provided educational information about the planets as well as the telescopes used to view the night sky. Children and adults lined up to a half dozen telescopes pointed at the sky to catch a glimpse of Venus which was about 48 million miles away and Jupiter which was about 565 million miles away from Earth during last night's conjunction. Though both planets can be seen with the naked eye, the powerful optics on the telescopes allowed people to see the planets with finer precision and clarity. Astronomers say this alignment of planets may have also occurred around 2 and 3 B.C. and may be what many call the Star of Bethlehem or the Christmas star. Tobias, a SALSA founding member, relishes the meetings and viewing parties. When the group meets on Wednesdays of each week and bring out their various telescopes, the group attracts onlookers. "We get a lot of people who are wondering what the contraptions are. And the conversations start running. We get all spectrums of people," said Tobias. "The biggest satisfaction we get are the questions (from the public). They are genuinely interested." SALSA has about 35 active members. less

Astronomer Bryan Tobias aligns his Newtonian reflector 30" mirror telescope to view the planets Venus and Jupiter before dusk. Tobias and other members of the star-gazing group, San Antonio League of Sidewalk ... more

Members of the star-gazing group, San Antonio League of Sidewalk Astronomers (SALSA), hold a star-viewing event at McAllister Park on Tuesday, June 30, 2015. A rare alignment or conjunction of the planets Venus and Jupiter brought out astronomers as well as over 100 curious onlookers to the park toward dusk to get a closer view of the starry heavens. Despite a partially cloudy night which limited the viewing, the local astronomers, some amateur and some professional, provided educational information about the planets as well as the telescopes used to view the night sky. Children and adults lined up to a half dozen telescopes pointed at the sky to catch a glimpse of Venus which was about 48 million miles away and Jupiter which was about 565 million miles away from Earth during last night's conjunction. Though both planets can be seen with the naked eye, the powerful optics on the telescopes allowed people to see the planets with finer precision and clarity. Astronomers say this alignment of planets may have also occurred around 2 and 3 B.C. and may be what many call the Star of Bethlehem or the Christmas star. SALSA founding member, Bryan Tobias, relishes the meetings and viewing parties. When the group meets on Wednesdays of each week and bring out their various telescopes, the group attracts onlookers. "We get a lot of people who are wondering what the contraptions are. And the conversations start running. We get all spectrums of people," said Tobias. "The biggest satisfaction we get are the questions (from the public). They are genuinely interested." SALSA has about 35 active members. less

Members of the star-gazing group, San Antonio League of Sidewalk Astronomers (SALSA), hold a star-viewing event at McAllister Park on Tuesday, June 30, 2015. A rare alignment or conjunction of the planets Venus ... more

Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News

Members of the star-gazing group, San Antonio League of Sidewalk... Photo-8245088.112687 - San Antonio Express-News

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Taboola Gallery Frame Item-85307.112687 - San Antonio Express-News

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John Whisenhunt helps during a "planet walk" offering the public a visual sense of the distance between planets in the solar system before a viewing of the conjunction of the planets Venus and Jupiter. Whisenhunt and other members of the star-gazing group, San Antonio League of Sidewalk Astronomers (SALSA), held the star-viewing event at McAllister Park on Tuesday, June 30, 2015. A rare alignment or conjunction of the planets Venus and Jupiter brought out astronomers as well as over 100 curious onlookers to the park toward dusk to get a closer view of the starry heavens. Despite a partially cloudy night which limited the viewing, the local astronomers, some amateur and some professional, provided educational information about the planets as well as the telescopes used to view the night sky. Children and adults lined up to a half dozen telescopes pointed at the sky to catch a glimpse of Venus which was about 48 million miles away and Jupiter which was about 565 million miles away from Earth during last night's conjunction. Though both planets can be seen with the naked eye, the powerful optics on the telescopes allowed people to see the planets with finer precision and clarity. Astronomers say this alignment of planets may have also occurred around 2 and 3 B.C. and may be what many call the Star of Bethlehem or the Christmas star. SALSA founding member, Bryan Tobias, relishes the meetings and viewing parties. When the group meets on Wednesdays of each week and bring out their various telescopes, the group attracts onlookers. "We get a lot of people who are wondering what the contraptions are. And the conversations start running. We get all spectrums of people," said Tobias. "The biggest satisfaction we get are the questions (from the public). They are genuinely interested." SALSA has about 35 active members. less

John Whisenhunt helps during a "planet walk" offering the public a visual sense of the distance between planets in the solar system before a viewing of the conjunction of the planets Venus and Jupiter. ... more

Astronomer Bryan Tobias aligns his Newtonian reflector 30" mirror telescope to view the planets Venus and Jupiter before dusk. Tobias and other members of the star-gazing group, San Antonio League of Sidewalk Astronomers (SALSA), held the star-viewing event at McAllister Park on Tuesday, June 30, 2015. A rare alignment or conjunction of the planets Venus and Jupiter brought out astronomers as well as over 100 curious onlookers to the park toward dusk to get a closer view of the starry heavens. Despite a partially cloudy night which limited the viewing, the local astronomers, some amateur and some professional, provided educational information about the planets as well as the telescopes used to view the night sky. Children and adults lined up to a half dozen telescopes pointed at the sky to catch a glimpse of Venus which was about 48 million miles away and Jupiter which was about 565 million miles away from Earth during last night's conjunction. Though both planets can be seen with the naked eye, the powerful optics on the telescopes allowed people to see the planets with finer precision and clarity. Astronomers say this alignment of planets may have also occurred around 2 and 3 B.C. and may be what many call the Star of Bethlehem or the Christmas star. Tobias, a SALSA founding member, relishes the meetings and viewing parties. When the group meets on Wednesdays of each week and bring out their various telescopes, the group attracts onlookers. "We get a lot of people who are wondering what the contraptions are. And the conversations start running. We get all spectrums of people," said Tobias. "The biggest satisfaction we get are the questions (from the public). They are genuinely interested." SALSA has about 35 active members. less

Astronomer Bryan Tobias aligns his Newtonian reflector 30" mirror telescope to view the planets Venus and Jupiter before dusk. Tobias and other members of the star-gazing group, San Antonio League of Sidewalk ... more

Phillip Anaya (left) takes a picture of his five-year-old son, Phineas, who was looking at the moon through a telescope during a star-gazing event held by the star-gazing group, San Antonio League of Sidewalk Astronomers (SALSA), at McAllister Park on Tuesday, June 30, 2015. A rare alignment or conjunction of the planets Venus and Jupiter brought out astronomers as well as over 100 curious onlookers to the park toward dusk to get a closer view of the starry heavens. Despite a partially cloudy night which limited the viewing, the local astronomers, some amateur and some professional, provided educational information about the planets as well as the telescopes used to view the night sky. Children and adults lined up to a half dozen telescopes pointed at the sky to catch a glimpse of Venus which was about 48 million miles away and Jupiter which was about 565 million miles away from Earth during last night's conjunction. Though both planets can be seen with the naked eye, the powerful optics on the telescopes allowed people to see the planets with finer precision and clarity. Astronomers say this alignment of planets may have also occurred around 2 and 3 B.C. and may be what many call the Star of Bethlehem or the Christmas star. SALSA founding member, Bryan Tobias, relishes the meetings and viewing parties. When the group meets on Wednesdays of each week and bring out their various telescopes, the group attracts onlookers. "We get a lot of people who are wondering what the contraptions are. And the conversations start running. We get all spectrums of people," said Tobias. "The biggest satisfaction we get are the questions (from the public). They are genuinely interested." SALSA has about 35 active members. less

Phillip Anaya (left) takes a picture of his five-year-old son, Phineas, who was looking at the moon through a telescope during a star-gazing event held by the star-gazing group, San Antonio League of Sidewalk ... more

Boy Scout Max Spomer of Troop 145 takes a look through a viewfinder at the planets Venus and Jupiter through a Newtonian telescope owned by Bryan Tobias. Tobias and other members of the star-gazing group, San Antonio League of Sidewalk Astronomers (SALSA), held a star-viewing event at McAllister Park on Tuesday, June 30, 2015. A rare alignment or conjunction of the planets Venus and Jupiter brought out astronomers as well as over 100 curious onlookers to the park toward dusk to get a closer view of the starry heavens. Despite a partially cloudy night which limited the viewing, the local astronomers, some amateur and some professional, provided educational information about the planets as well as the telescopes used to view the night sky. Children and adults lined up to a half dozen telescopes pointed at the sky to catch a glimpse of Venus which was about 48 million miles away and Jupiter which was about 565 million miles away from Earth during last night's conjunction. Though both planets can be seen with the naked eye, the powerful optics on the telescopes allowed people to see the planets with finer precision and clarity. Astronomers say this alignment of planets may have also occurred around 2 and 3 B.C. and may be what many call the Star of Bethlehem or the Christmas star. SALSA founding member, Bryan Tobias, relishes the meetings and viewing parties. When the group meets on Wednesdays of each week and bring out their various telescopes, the group attracts onlookers. "We get a lot of people who are wondering what the contraptions are. And the conversations start running. We get all spectrums of people," said Tobias. "The biggest satisfaction we get are the questions (from the public). They are genuinely interested." SALSA has about 35 active members. less

Boy Scout Max Spomer of Troop 145 takes a look through a viewfinder at the planets Venus and Jupiter through a Newtonian telescope owned by Bryan Tobias. Tobias and other members of the star-gazing group, San ... more

Members of the star-gazing group, San Antonio League of Sidewalk Astronomers (SALSA), hold a star-viewing event at McAllister Park on Tuesday, June 30, 2015. A rare alignment or conjunction of the planets Venus and Jupiter brought out astronomers as well as over 100 curious onlookers to the park toward dusk to get a closer view of the starry heavens. Despite a partially cloudy night which limited the viewing, the local astronomers, some amateur and some professional, provided educational information about the planets as well as the telescopes used to view the night sky. Children and adults lined up to a half dozen telescopes pointed at the sky to catch a glimpse of Venus which was about 48 million miles away and Jupiter which was about 565 million miles away from Earth during last night's conjunction. Though both planets can be seen with the naked eye, the powerful optics on the telescopes allowed people to see the planets with finer precision and clarity. Astronomers say this alignment of planets may have also occurred around 2 and 3 B.C. and may be what many call the Star of Bethlehem or the Christmas star. SALSA founding member, Bryan Tobias, relishes the meetings and viewing parties. When the group meets on Wednesdays of each week and bring out their various telescopes, the group attracts onlookers. "We get a lot of people who are wondering what the contraptions are. And the conversations start running. We get all spectrums of people," said Tobias. "The biggest satisfaction we get are the questions (from the public). They are genuinely interested." SALSA has about 35 active members. less

Members of the star-gazing group, San Antonio League of Sidewalk Astronomers (SALSA), hold a star-viewing event at McAllister Park on Tuesday, June 30, 2015. A rare alignment or conjunction of the planets Venus ... more

Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News

Members of the star-gazing group, San Antonio League of Sidewalk... Photo-8245100.112687 - San Antonio Express-News

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A miniature replica of the planet Jupiter sits on the ground near a group of people during a presentation about the distance between planets. Members of the star-gazing group, San Antonio League of Sidewalk Astronomers (SALSA), held a star-viewing event at McAllister Park on Tuesday, June 30, 2015. A rare alignment or conjunction of the planets Venus and Jupiter brought out astronomers as well as over 100 curious onlookers to the park toward dusk to get a closer view of the starry heavens. Despite a partially cloudy night which limited the viewing, the local astronomers, some amateur and some professional, provided educational information about the planets as well as the telescopes used to view the night sky. Children and adults lined up to a half dozen telescopes pointed at the sky to catch a glimpse of Venus which was about 48 million miles away and Jupiter which was about 565 million miles away from Earth during last night's conjunction. Though both planets can be seen with the naked eye, the powerful optics on the telescopes allowed people to see the planets with finer precision and clarity. Astronomers say this alignment of planets may have also occurred around 2 and 3 B.C. and may be what many call the Star of Bethlehem or the Christmas star. SALSA founding member, Bryan Tobias, relishes the meetings and viewing parties. When the group meets on Wednesdays of each week and bring out their various telescopes, the group attracts onlookers. "We get a lot of people who are wondering what the contraptions are. And the conversations start running. We get all spectrums of people," said Tobias. "The biggest satisfaction we get are the questions (from the public). They are genuinely interested." SALSA has about 35 active members. less

A miniature replica of the planet Jupiter sits on the ground near a group of people during a presentation about the distance between planets. Members of the star-gazing group, San Antonio League of Sidewalk ... more

Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News

A miniature replica of the planet Jupiter sits on the ground near a... Photo-8245106.112687 - San Antonio Express-News

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Astronomer Rene Cardenas (second from left) chats with Carolyn Atkins as members of the star-gazing group, San Antonio League of Sidewalk Astronomers (SALSA), hold a star-viewing event at McAllister Park on Tuesday, June 30, 2015. A rare alignment or conjunction of the planets Venus and Jupiter brought out astronomers as well as over 100 curious onlookers to the park toward dusk to get a closer view of the starry heavens. Despite a partially cloudy night which limited the viewing, the local astronomers, some amateur and some professional, provided educational information about the planets as well as the telescopes used to view the night sky. Children and adults lined up to a half dozen telescopes pointed at the sky to catch a glimpse of Venus which was about 48 million miles away and Jupiter which was about 565 million miles away from Earth during last night's conjunction. Though both planets can be seen with the naked eye, the powerful optics on the telescopes allowed people to see the planets with finer precision and clarity. Astronomers say this alignment of planets may have also occurred around 2 and 3 B.C. and may be what many call the Star of Bethlehem or the Christmas star. SALSA founding member, Bryan Tobias, relishes the meetings and viewing parties. When the group meets on Wednesdays of each week and bring out their various telescopes, the group attracts onlookers. "We get a lot of people who are wondering what the contraptions are. And the conversations start running. We get all spectrums of people," said Tobias. "The biggest satisfaction we get are the questions (from the public). They are genuinely interested." SALSA has about 35 active members. less

Astronomer Rene Cardenas (second from left) chats with Carolyn Atkins as members of the star-gazing group, San Antonio League of Sidewalk Astronomers (SALSA), hold a star-viewing event at McAllister Park on ... more

Astronomer Bryan Tobias aligns his Newtonian reflector 30" mirror telescope to view the planets Venus and Jupiter before dusk. Tobias and other members of the star-gazing group, San Antonio League of Sidewalk Astronomers (SALSA), held the star-viewing event at McAllister Park on Tuesday, June 30, 2015. A rare alignment or conjunction of the planets Venus and Jupiter brought out astronomers as well as over 100 curious onlookers to the park toward dusk to get a closer view of the starry heavens. Despite a partially cloudy night which limited the viewing, the local astronomers, some amateur and some professional, provided educational information about the planets as well as the telescopes used to view the night sky. Children and adults lined up to a half dozen telescopes pointed at the sky to catch a glimpse of Venus which was about 48 million miles away and Jupiter which was about 565 million miles away from Earth during last night's conjunction. Though both planets can be seen with the naked eye, the powerful optics on the telescopes allowed people to see the planets with finer precision and clarity. Astronomers say this alignment of planets may have also occurred around 2 and 3 B.C. and may be what many call the Star of Bethlehem or the Christmas star. Tobias, a SALSA founding member, relishes the meetings and viewing parties. When the group meets on Wednesdays of each week and bring out their various telescopes, the group attracts onlookers. "We get a lot of people who are wondering what the contraptions are. And the conversations start running. We get all spectrums of people," said Tobias. "The biggest satisfaction we get are the questions (from the public). They are genuinely interested." SALSA has about 35 active members. less

Astronomer Bryan Tobias aligns his Newtonian reflector 30" mirror telescope to view the planets Venus and Jupiter before dusk. Tobias and other members of the star-gazing group, San Antonio League of Sidewalk ... more

Astronomer John Whisenhunt lets people look through his five-inch refractor telescope to get a view of the planets Venus and Jupiter during a viewing party by the star-gazing group, San Antonio League of Sidewalk Astronomers (SALSA), at McAllister Park on Tuesday, June 30, 2015. A rare alignment or conjunction of the planets Venus and Jupiter brought out astronomers as well as over 100 curious onlookers to the park toward dusk to get a closer view of the starry heavens. Despite a partially cloudy night which limited the viewing, the local astronomers, some amateur and some professional, provided educational information about the planets as well as the telescopes used to view the night sky. Children and adults lined up to a half dozen telescopes pointed at the sky to catch a glimpse of Venus which was about 48 million miles away and Jupiter which was about 565 million miles away from Earth during last night's conjunction. Though both planets can be seen with the naked eye, the powerful optics on the telescopes allowed people to see the planets with finer precision and clarity. Astronomers say this alignment of planets may have also occurred around 2 and 3 B.C. and may be what many call the Star of Bethlehem or the Christmas star. SALSA founding member, Bryan Tobias, relishes the meetings and viewing parties. When the group meets on Wednesdays of each week and bring out their various telescopes, the group attracts onlookers. "We get a lot of people who are wondering what the contraptions are. And the conversations start running. We get all spectrums of people," said Tobias. "The biggest satisfaction we get are the questions (from the public). They are genuinely interested." SALSA has about 35 active members. less

Astronomer John Whisenhunt lets people look through his five-inch refractor telescope to get a view of the planets Venus and Jupiter during a viewing party by the star-gazing group, San Antonio League of ... more

Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News

Astronomer John Whisenhunt lets people look through his five-inch... Photo-8245119.112687 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 17 of 19

A miniature replica of the planet Venus sits on the ground near a group of people during a presentation about the distance between planets. Members of the star-gazing group, San Antonio League of Sidewalk Astronomers (SALSA), held a star-viewing event at McAllister Park on Tuesday, June 30, 2015. A rare alignment or conjunction of the planets Venus and Jupiter brought out astronomers as well as over 100 curious onlookers to the park toward dusk to get a closer view of the starry heavens. Despite a partially cloudy night which limited the viewing, the local astronomers, some amateur and some professional, provided educational information about the planets as well as the telescopes used to view the night sky. Children and adults lined up to a half dozen telescopes pointed at the sky to catch a glimpse of Venus which was about 48 million miles away and Jupiter which was about 565 million miles away from Earth during last night's conjunction. Though both planets can be seen with the naked eye, the powerful optics on the telescopes allowed people to see the planets with finer precision and clarity. Astronomers say this alignment of planets may have also occurred around 2 and 3 B.C. and may be what many call the Star of Bethlehem or the Christmas star. SALSA founding member, Bryan Tobias, relishes the meetings and viewing parties. When the group meets on Wednesdays of each week and bring out their various telescopes, the group attracts onlookers. "We get a lot of people who are wondering what the contraptions are. And the conversations start running. We get all spectrums of people," said Tobias. "The biggest satisfaction we get are the questions (from the public). They are genuinely interested." SALSA has about 35 active members. less

A miniature replica of the planet Venus sits on the ground near a group of people during a presentation about the distance between planets. Members of the star-gazing group, San Antonio League of Sidewalk ... more

Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News

A miniature replica of the planet Venus sits on the ground near a... Photo-8245120.112687 - San Antonio Express-News

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Brothers Andrew Ramirez (right) and Jacob Benn try to align a telescope to view the planets Venus and Jupiter during a star-viewing party held by the star-gazing group, San Antonio League of Sidewalk Astronomers (SALSA), at McAllister Park on Tuesday, June 30, 2015. A rare alignment or conjunction of the planets Venus and Jupiter brought out astronomers as well as over 100 curious onlookers to the park toward dusk to get a closer view of the starry heavens. Despite a partially cloudy night which limited the viewing, the local astronomers, some amateur and some professional, provided educational information about the planets as well as the telescopes used to view the night sky. Children and adults lined up to a half dozen telescopes pointed at the sky to catch a glimpse of Venus which was about 48 million miles away and Jupiter which was about 565 million miles away from Earth during last night's conjunction. Though both planets can be seen with the naked eye, the powerful optics on the telescopes allowed people to see the planets with finer precision and clarity. Astronomers say this alignment of planets may have also occurred around 2 and 3 B.C. and may be what many call the Star of Bethlehem or the Christmas star. SALSA founding member, Bryan Tobias, relishes the meetings and viewing parties. When the group meets on Wednesdays of each week and bring out their various telescopes, the group attracts onlookers. "We get a lot of people who are wondering what the contraptions are. And the conversations start running. We get all spectrums of people," said Tobias. "The biggest satisfaction we get are the questions (from the public). They are genuinely interested." SALSA has about 35 active members. less

Brothers Andrew Ramirez (right) and Jacob Benn try to align a telescope to view the planets Venus and Jupiter during a star-viewing party held by the star-gazing group, San Antonio League of Sidewalk ... more